Council agrees new St David’s High School admissions arrangements from 2027

Midlothian Council has agreed new admissions arrangements for St David’s RC High School, bringing clarity over its catchment area and setting out how places will be allocated from the 2027 intake or as soon as possible thereafter.

Public consultation

The decision follows a public consultation and consideration of a report at a meeting of the full council.

• For the full report

Formal recognition

The clarified catchment area for St David’s RC High School, and revised Admissions Policy will provide clarity for Midlothian parents and pupils, as well as Loretto RC
Primary School parents and pupils, and a fair, consistent approach to denominational secondary school enrolment in Midlothian.

New policy

Under the new admissions policy, a new priority list will apply.

Financial contribution

A financial arrangement has been agreed with East Lothian Council for pupils of Loretto RC Primary School attending St David’s RC High School.

Provides certainty

Ellen Scott, Cabinet Member for Education said: “This decision provides certainty for families, by clarifying the catchment area and priority list for entry into St David’s RC High School, at a time when our school population continues to grow.

Clear and transparent

“It recognises the long-standing connection between Loretto RC Primary School and St David’s RC High School, while making sure there is a clear, fair and transparent admissions policy.”

The list

The full priority list is:

1. Midlothian resident children who have been offered a place in the school’s Complex Needs Provision class by the Education Resource Group (ERG)
2. Midlothian resident catchment children who have been prioritised based on exceptional circumstances.
3. Midlothian resident catchment children who are baptised in the Roman Catholic faith and will have siblings attending the school at the same time.
4. Midlothian resident catchment children who are baptised in the Roman Catholic faith and will not have siblings attending the school at the same time.
5. Loretto RC PS registered catchment children who are baptised in the Roman Catholic faith and will have siblings attending the school at the same time. (for entry to S1 at St. David’s RC High School only)
6. Loretto RC PS registered catchment children who are baptised in the Roman Catholic faith and will not have siblings attending the school at the same time. (for entry to S1 at St. David’s RC High School only)
7. Midlothian resident catchment children, who are not baptised in the Roman Catholic faith and will have siblings attending the school at the same time.
8. Loretto RC PS registered catchment children who are not baptised in the Roman Catholic faith with a sibling attending the school at the same time. (for entry to S1 at St. David’s RC High School only)
9. All remaining Midlothian resident catchment children
10. All remaining Loretto RC PS registered catchment children. (for entry to S1 at St. David’s RC High School only)
11. Any remaining unreserved places will be available to Placing Requests, in line with the Admission Policy Placing Request priority list